Mitchell Robinson is unlikely to return to the New York Knicks next season, a source told The Post's Stefan Bondy on Thursday night. The decision appears tied to the team's financial strategy under owner James Dolan, who has expressed a firm stance against incurring the penalties associated with the NBA's second apron.
Dolan stated last week during an appearance on "The Carton Show" on WFAN that exceeding the second apron, which imposes significant restrictions on team-building in free agency, is not an option. "There are certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron," Dolan said. "I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron."
This strategy was evident during the NBA draft when the Knicks traded out of the first round, avoiding the obligation of signing players to guaranteed contracts. The team will face other free agent decisions this offseason, including that of Landry Shamet, who is also an unrestricted free agent. Earlier in the week, reports indicated the Knicks are nearing a multiyear deal worth over $10 million to re-sign Mohamed Bamba.
Robinson's potential departure would mark the end of his tenure with the Knicks, which began in 2018 when he was selected as a second-round pick. During the current season, he was a key rotation player, averaging 8.8 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per game across 60 regular-season appearances. However, his playoff minutes decreased, and teams continued to employ the strategy of intentionally fouling him at the free-throw line, where he shot 29.3 percent.
Despite a hand injury sustained shortly before the NBA Finals, Robinson played a role in the championship-clinching game, recording 10 rebounds. One crucial offensive rebound with 22 seconds remaining helped the Knicks maintain possession before OG Anunoby secured the win with a free throw.